Adaptor for guitar and similarly stringed musical instruments

ABSTRACT

AN ADAPTER FOR USE WITH GUITARS AND SIMILARLY STRINGED INSTRUMENTS IS PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF VIBRATING MEMBERS WHICH ARE DISPOSED TRANSVERSE TO THE STRINGS OF THE INSTRUMENT AND POSITIONED SO THAT THE HEADS OF THE VIBRATING MEMBERS CAN ENGAGE THE STRINGS OF THE INSTRUMENT AS IT IS BEING PLAYED. MEANS ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR MOUNTING THE ADAPTOR EITHER ON THE SOUNDING BOARD OR THE FINGER BOARD OF THE INSTRUMENT AND FOR MOVING THE VIBRATING MEMBERS INTO AND OUT OF PLAYING POSITION. WHEN IN USE, A SOUND EFFECT IS CREATED BY THE ADAPTOR SIMILAR TO THE SOUND ACHIEVED WHEN TWO OR MORE STRINGED INSTRUMENTS, SUCH AS GUITARS, ARE STRUMMED OR PLUCKED TO PLAY THE SAME PIECE OF MUSIC AT THE SAME TIME.

Nov. 30, 1971 J. R. PITT, JR 3,623,390

ADAPTOR FOR GUITAR AND SIMILARLY STRINGED MUSICAL, .[NSTRUMENIS Filed Dec. 7, 1970 INVIIN'IUR. JACK R. PITT, Jr.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,623,390 ADAPTOR FOR GUITAR AND SIMILARLY STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Jack R. Pitt, Jr., 44 Casino St., Freeport, N.Y. 11520 Filed Dec. 7, 1970, Ser. No. 95,569 Int. Cl. Gd 3/02 US. Cl. 84-294 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adapter for use with guitars and similarly stringed instruments is provided with a plurality of vibrating members which are disposed transverse to the strings of the instrument and positioned so that the heads of the vibrating members can engage the strings of the instrument as it is being played. Means are also provided for mounting the adaptor either on the sounding board or the finger board of the instrument and for moving the vibrating members into and out of playing position. When in use, a sound efiect is created by the adaptor similar to the sound achieved when two or more stringed instruments, such as guitars, :are strummed or plucked to play the same piece of music at the same time.

This invention relates to an adaptor for use when playing a guitar or similarly stringed instruments. The adaptor is provided with means for mounting it to a stringed instrument and is capable of multiplying the note sounds produced from one or more strings of the instrument as they are plucked or strummed, thereby creating an effect similar to that achieved when two or more of the same instruments are playing the same piece of music at the same time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many mechanical means have been provided in the past for use with guitars and similarly stringed instruments, but these means have been generally directed to simplifying the plucking of the strings by replacing manual plucking with mechanical plucking means. Exemplary of such means are those disclosed and described in US. Pats. 921,565 (Scarlett), 2,429,138 (Rut), and 3,292,975 (Koniecki). Means have also been provided for changing the pitch of a string as it is plucked or strummed by lengthening or shortening the string such as is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. 2,574,881 to McBride.

Amplification of the notes and music played on stringed instruments, particularly guitars, has been also accomplished with well-known means, such as microphones, sophisticated electrical amplifiers, or simply by using resonators which are positioned in the well of the instrument such as is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. 2,027,723 to Dopyera.

No known means have been heretofore provided whereby the notes of a stringed instrument can be mechanically multiplied.

The adaptor of this invention is of simple construction and use, and is provided with means whereby it can be mounted either to the sounding board or the finger board of a guitar or similarly stringed instruments.

Generally, the adaptor of the invention comprises a plurality of parallel vibrating members rotatably mounted to a base at one end and disposed transverse to the strings of a stringed musical instrument so that a head at the other end of each of the vibrating members is positioned to engage a string of the stringed instrument; locking and releasing means for locking the heads of said vibrating members out of contact with said strings and for releasing said vibrating members so that their heads are free to engage said strings; and, means for mounting said base to a stringed musical instrument.

Additionally, the adapter can be provided with means for adjusting the length of each of the vibrating members so that their heads can be positioned to engage the same or different strings of a stringed instrument and with means for rotatably mounting the vibrating members on a common axis. Furthermore, means can also be provided for mounting the adaptor either on the sounding board or finger board of a stringed instrument.

The adaptor of the invention will be more clearly understood when considered together with the accompanying drawing wherein the various views illustrate preferred embodiment thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a guitar showing one embodiment of the adaptor of the invention mounted in place thereon;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the adaptor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, part in section, illustrating one means by which the vibrating members can be urged into contact with the strings of a stringed instrument;

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5; and,

FIG. 7 is an end sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the adaptor of the invention.

As seen in FIG. 1, the adaptor of the invention, generally identified by reference numeral 10, is shown mounted on a guitar generally indicated at 111. Guitar 11 typically comprises a sounding board -12 having a rosette 13 formed therein and a finger board 14 attached to the sounding board 12, and over the face of which a plurality of strings 15 are strung. For most non-electrical guitars, six strings 15 are used and they are anchored at one end adjacent the rosette 13 to a bridge (not shown) while their opposite ends are secured to pegs (not shown) which are used for tuning the instrument in the normal manner.

The adaptor 10 of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a thin base plate 1-6 whichis generally rectangular in shape and has mounted on its upper surface a pair of opposed, vertical axle mounts 17, 17a. The inner opposed faces of axle mounts 17, 17a each have a conventional blind or thrust bearing 118 FIG. 2) formed therein for mounting an axle 19 therebetween. Axle mounts 17, 17a are secured to base '16 so that either one or both of them can be manually stressed toward the side edges 16a, 16b of base 16 to spread them apart and thereby facilitate removal or insertion of axle 119 therebetween. Alternatively, axle mounts 17, 17a can be provided with an open bearing as shown in dotted lines at 18a in FIG. 1, through which axle 19 can be thrust and retained securely therein by suitable means such as a set 3 screw as shown at 19a. Such assemblages will enable a plurality of mounting blocks 20 to be rotatably and commonly mounted on axle 19 through transverse bores 21 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) formed in each mounting block 20 through which axle 19 can be trained before it is secured between axle mounts 17, 17a.

Transverse bores 21 of mounting blocks 20 should have a diameter slightly larger than that of axle 19 to insure free rotation of them about axle 19 and, further, enable them to be easily removed from or mounted on to axle 19 so that they can be interchanged and/ or replaced as desired or required.

Each mounting block 20 has secured thereto a vibrating member, generally indicated by 22, comprising a leg portion 23, having one free end as shown at 2311 and a vertically depending head 24 secured to its other end. The free ends 23a of legs 23 are secured in longitudinal bores 25 (FIG. 3) formed in mounting blocks 20. The crosssectional configuration of longitudinal bores 25 should be the same as that of legs 23 and should also be of a dimension so that legs 23 are frictionally engaged in the longitudinal bores 25. This permits legs 23 to be manually slid in mounting blocks 20 thereby enabling heads 24 to be moved toward or away from mounting blocks 20 so that each head 24 can be positioned to engage any desired string 15 or to position two or more heads 24 so that they will engage the same string 15. Although legs 23 and longitudinal bores 25 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, this is not critical since they can have any cross-sectional configuration desired, and although legs 23 have been described as being frictionally engaged in the longitudinal bores 25 of mounting blocks 20', it should be understood that this is a preferred embodiment and that other securing means can be provided as is known to those skilled in the art.

It can be readily seen, therefore, that by frictionally securing vibrating members 22 to mounting blocks 20 and commonly mounting the mounting blocks 20 on axle 19, a great deal of flexibility can be achieved in the number and placement of the vibrating members 22 to create and/ or obtain a desired sound effect.

Adaptor is also provided with means for locking or securing the heads 24 of vibrating members 22 out of playing position relative to strings and for releasing the vibrating members 22 so that heads 24 are free to operatively engage strings .15. This locking and releasing mechanism comprises a key member 26 having a transverse bore 26a (FIG. 4) so that it can also be rotatably mounted on axle 19 similar to the manner in which mounting blocks are mounted thereon. A vertically disposed catch member 27 is provided on base 16 and positioned to engage the outwardly extending end of key member 26 in a groove 27a formed intermediate the ends of catch member 27. The outward end of key 26 can be angled or beveled as shown at 26b (FIG. 1) to facilitate its engagement in groove 27a and the upper end of catch 27 can be flanged or flared as shown at 27b (FIGS. 1 and 4) to facilitate the release of the outer end of key 26 from engagement with groove 27a.

To the inner end of key 26 there is secured a retaining bar 28 which is horizontally disposed beneath and transverse to legs 23 of the vibrating members 22. Hence, when key 26 is rotated to engage its outer end in groove 27a of catch 27, retaining bar 28 engages legs 23 thereby lifting heads 24 and securing them out of contact With strings 15 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Conversely, when the outer end of key 26 is released from groove 2711, key 26 is free to rotate thereby disengaging retaining bar 28 from legs 23 and permitting heads 24 to contact strings 15 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the inward portion of key member 26 is formed at an obtuse angle, as shown at 260 in FIG. 4 to assure that key 26 will not interfere with legs 23 when the vibrating members 22 are in an operative, playing position. It is also preferred to provide a stop member 29 (FIG. 4) secured to the underside of the angled portion 260 of key 26 so that key 26 will not vibrate against base 16 when vibrating members 22 are in an operative, playing position, and toward this end, stop 29 can be weighted to assure that it will remain in contact with base 16 when key 26 is released from catch 27.

When the heads 24 of vibrating members 22 are positioned to engage strings 15, they will bounce off and return to strike strings 15 many times as strings 15 are strummed or plucked. To assist in this oscillating motion, it is preferred to provide a return bar 30* which can be mounted to and between axle mounts 17, 17a and be positioned to engage the lower, outer edges of mounting blocks 20 as is clearly shown in FIGS. 14. In this embodiment, it is also preferred that the lower, outer edges of mounting blocks 20 be squared as shown at 20a (FIG. 3) to assure good contact with return bar 30 while the inner, lower edges of mounting blocks 20 be rounded as shown at 20b (FIG. 3). By virtue of this assemblage, heads 24 of vibrating members 22 can be caused to strike strings 15 over and over again as a result of the alternating clockwise and counter-clockwise pivotal oscillation of mounting blocks 20 about axle 19, resulting from the vibrations of strings against heads 24 and the contact of the lower, outer edges of mounting blocks 20a with return bar 30. In effect, therefore, return bar 30' serves to interrupt and reverse this pivotal movement away from strings 15 and return heads 24 to engage the vibrating strings 15 again.

One means by which the adaptor 10 can be mounted to the sounding board 12 of the guitar 11, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a U-shaped spring arm 31, having a transverse portion 31a and a longitudinal portion 31b. In mounting the adaptor 10 to the guitar 11 by means of the spring arm 31, the transverse portion 31a is slipped beneath strings 15 adjacent the inner end 14a of finger board 14 and over rosette 13 until the longitudinal portion 31b can be positioned against the opposite edge 14b of the finger board 14 with the transverse portion 31a engaging the inner end 14a of finger board 14 as shown in FIG. 1.

In an alternate embodiment, the adaptor 10 can be secured to the sounding board 12 of a guitar 11 by means of a plurality of suction cups 32 secured to the lower surface of base 16 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4.

Upon release of key 26 from catch 27, heads 24 of the adaptor will have a tendency to engage strings 15 due to the force of gravity. However, the force of gravity will not always assure such engagement since guitars and other stringed instruments are not always held in a horizontal or near horizontal position as they are being played. Hence, it is preferred to provide the adaptor of the invention with means to insure initial engagement of heads 24 with strings 15 regardless of what position the stringed instrument is in as it is being played. After initial contact of heads 24 with strings has been made, continued contact is maintained through the energy of the vibrating strings 15 and the action of blocks 20 engaging return bar 30.

To assure initial contact of heads 24 with strings 15, the adaptor of the invention can be provided with a spring means one end of which can be fixedly secured to the base and the other end of which can be positioned to engage the vibrating members 22, the spring means being properly tensioned to pivotally urge heads 24 of the vibrating members 22 towards strings 15. One such spring means is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and, as shown therein, it comprises a thin, lightweight coil spring 33, the body of which is wound about axle 19. One end of spring 33 is secured in a recess 1% formed in axle 19 and the other end is secured in a similar recess 200 in mounting block 20 radially spaced from axle 19. When spring 33 is secured in recesses 19b and 200 from its normal, untensioned positioned, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5, it will urge block 20 to rotate in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 5, to thereby force heads 24 into contact with strings Since each mounting block can be independently mounted to axle 19, a recess 20c should be provided in each mounting block 20 while a plurality of recesses 19b can be provided at appropriately spaced intervals along axle 19 so that each mounting block 20 can be equipped with a spring 33.

Initial contact of heads 24 with strings 15 can also be assured by providing a suitable weight affixed to each mounting block 20 For example, a weight 33a can be secured to the upper surface of a mounting block 20 or embedded in it, both embodiments being illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 4. Regardless of how the weight 33a is aflixed to the mounting block 20, it is important that it be positioned in the upper half and adjacent the inner face of the mounting block 20; that is, above the longitudinal bore 25 and forward of the transverse bore 21 of the mounting block 20. The force of gravity acting on weight 33a will serve to rotatably urge mounting bloc-ks 20 downward so that heads 24 come into contact with strings 15 in all normal playing positions in which the guitar 11 might be held.

In many instances, it may be desirable to key axle 19 in axle mounts 17, 17a against rotation resulting from the tension of coil springs 33 and this can be readily accomplished by utilizing set screws 19a. In the embodiment wherein set screws 19a are employed, axle 19 can be keyed against rotation so that additional tension is imparted to coil springs 33, and this tensioning of coil springs 33 can be of a magnitude so that they serve to interrupt and reverse the pivotal movement of heads 24 away from strings 15 in the same manner as return bar 30. If desired, therefore, return bar can be eliminated and coil springs 33 can be utilized in its stead.

As mentioned earlier, the adaptor 10 can also be provided with means for mounting it directly to the finger board 14 of a guitar 11. One such means is illustrated in FIG. 7 and since the cross-sectional configuration of the finger board 14 is generally semi-circular, base 16 is provided with a semi-circular or arcuate extension 34 to closely engage the lower portion of finger board 14. At the point where extension 34 is secured to base 16, an inwardly directed flange 34a is provided to engage the upper surface of finger board 14 adjacent base 16.

The opposite end of extension 34 is similarly provided with an inwardly extending flange 34b to engage the upper surface of finger board 14 opposite base 16. To facilitate mounting and removal of the arcuate mounting means a tab 35 is provided on the outer edge of flange 34b so that extension 34 can be manually stressed to spread flanges 34a and 34b apart.

The materials which can be employed to manufacture the various components comprising the adaptor of the invention are not critical and combinations of wood, metal and plastic can be readily employed. For purposes of economy and simplicity of production, it is preferred that the various components be fabricated from light weight plastic materials and, when possible, be integrally formed to obviate the necessity of providing a plurality of mechanical mounting and securing assemblies.

Although the adaptor of the invention has been described for use in conjunction with a guitar, it should be understood that it can be employed with such similarly stringed instruments as banjos, mandolins, violins, violas, cellos, and the like, whether these instruments are strummed, plucked or bowed. Hence, while the invention has been described with particularity and in some detail, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and alterations can be made therein without departing fro mthe scope and spirit of the invention.

The materials which can be employed to manufacture the various components comprising the adaptor of the invention are not critical and combinations of wood, metal and plastic can be readily employed. For purposes of economy and simplicity of production, it is preferred that the various components be fabricated from light weight plastic materials and, when possible, be integrally formed to obviate the necessity of providing a plurality of mechanical mounting and securing assemblies.

Although the adaptor of the invention has been described for use in conjunction with a guitar, it should be understood that it can be employed with such similarly stringed instruments as banjos, mandolins, violins, violas, cellos, and the like, whether these instruments are strummed, plucked or bowed. Hence, while the invention has been described with particularity and in some detail, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and alterations can be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed:

1. An adaptor for stringed musical instruments comprising: a base; a plurality of parallel vibrating members, the mounting ends of said vibrating members being pivotally secured to said base for independent rotation with respect to a common axis and the other end of said vibrating members each having a head which is disposed above the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said vibrating members being of a dimension such that said heads can engage at least one of said strings; locking and releasing means for locking said vibrating members such that their heads are out of contact with said strings and for releasing said vibrating members such that their heads are free to engage said strings; cooperating means on said base and said vibrating members to facilitate pivotal movement of said heads toward said strings; and, means for mounting said base to said instrument.

2. The adaptor as defined in claim 1 wherein said vibrating members are rotatably secured to said base by means of mounting blocks to which the mounting ends of said vibrating members are secured, said mounting blocks being commonly mounted to said common axis to permit free rotation of said mounting blocks about said axis.

3. The adaptor as defined in claim 2 wherein the mounting ends of said vibrating members are adjustably secured to said mounting blocks such that said heads can be variably positioned toward and away from said common axis.

4. The adaptor as defined in claim 1 wherein the means to facilitate pivotal movement of said heads comprises a return bar mounted to said base positioned to arrest and reverse the pivotal movement of said heads away from said strings such that said heads are rapidly and repeatedly returned to engage said strings upon being actuated by the vibration of said strings.

5. The adaptor as defined in claim 1 wherein the means to facilitate pivotal movement of said heads comprises a plurality of spring means each having one end fixedly secured to said base and a movable end engaging one of said vibrating members at a point radially spaced from said common axis such that said vibrating members are independently urged in a direction to engage said strings.

'6. The adaptor as defined in claim 2 which includes a weight member afiixed to said mounting blocks in the upper half and adjacent the inner face of said mounting blocks such that the heads of said vibrating members are urged into contact with said strings.

7. The adaptor as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting means for said base comprises a U-shaped spring bar which is adapted to engage the inner end of the finger board of said instrument such that said adaptor is firmly seated on the sounding board of said instrument.

8. The adaptor as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of suction cups secured to the underside of said base such that said base can -be secured to the sounding board of said stringed musical instrument.

9. The adaptor as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises an arcuate extension, one end of Which is secured to the inner edge of said base and is provided with an inwardly extending flange thereat, and the other end of which is provided with a flange extending toward the inner edge of said base, such that said adaptor can be mounted intermediate the ends of the finger board of said instrument.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1929 Hey 84-294 11/1967 Webster 84294 US. Cl. X.R. 

